I’ve never been lucky enough to try even a single beer from today’s brewery, but I can tell you that after sampling just a few of their beers, I’m looking forward to visiting Hood River, Oregon even more.
Today we’ll be talking about Ferment Brewing and if you’re not already familiar, Ferment is a “modern brewery that fuses traditional farmhouse techniques with a forward-thinking scientific approach.” They also use some of the interesting foraged ingredients found near their home in the Columbia River Gorge. The brewery features one of the cooler tasting rooms I’ve ever seen with 2nd floor views of the Columbia River Gorge as well as the brewery itself… and of course they have you covered with quite a few of their beers on tap, cocktails, mocktails, wine, soda and some tasty-looking food as well.
The beers are designed and brewed by Vermont-native and avid home brewer Dan Peterson who learned his trade at Brooklyn Brewery as well as Full Sail and pFriem before moving to Ferment Brewing….and today I’m lucky enough to get my hands on two of their beers.
I should mention up front, that the care and packaging used to ship their beers all the way across the U.S. to mybeerbuzz headquarters really demonstrates how much they care about the quality of their beer. Thankfully the beer arrived cold and well protected and I’m sure I’ll taste that care even more when I open the beers.
Today we’ll be sampling Marion Rubus and NZ Hop IPA…and of course I can’t wait…so off we go.
Ferment Brewing Marion Rubus
ABV: 5.6%
Style: Fruited Sour Ale
Packaging: 12oz cans
Appearance: Bright ruby red
Aroma: Tropical fruits, berries & citrus
Mouthfeel: Medium-light
Taste: Tart raspberries, sweet tropical fruits and sticky melon
Overall: Marion Rubus uses Oregon-grown marionberries, raspberries (20-pounds per barrel); and it is hopped with Hüll Melon hops. This surprising combination makes for an almost soft tart flavor from the raspberries that is then balanced by the sweet marionberries and just a touch of hops. The overall mix is interestingly complex and it makes for a really drinkable and enjoyable sour beer experience.
Ferment Brewing NZ Hop IPA
ABV: 6.5%
Style: Unfiltered IPA
Packaging: 16oz cans
Appearance: Hazy gold orange
Aroma: Citrus, lime & tropical fruit
Mouthfeel: Medium & soft
Taste: Sticky tropical fruits, citrus, lime and mild earthy hops
Overall: New Zealand Hop IPA uses Motueka and Moutere hops from new Zealand and their presence really shines in this beer. Part of the Top Ferment (and Bottom Ferment) beer series, this beer represents Top Ferment and based on the combination of flavors, I think it represents top fermenting beers really well. The sticky tropical fruit is balanced by the sharper lime and citrus flavors, and the flaked oats and flaked wheat really make for a soft and pleasant mouthfeel. Overall the beer has a classic combination of fruit-forward hops that finish with a resinous pine bite making for a really well balanced and drinkable IPA.
Ferment Marion Rubus and NZ Hop IPA are both available now so get out there are try them for yourself. Better yet, get over to the Ferment Brewing Taproom n Hood River and enjoy them in their native environment. And when you do taste them, be sure to let us know what YOU think.
As a bonus I’ve added in the coming soon Bottom Ferment Pils Bernina Italian0style pilsner (6%-AbV, 16oz cans), Top Ferment Fresh Hop Centennial Pale Ale (6%-AbV, 16oz cans) & Top Ferment Fresh Hop Chinook pale ale (6%-AbV, 16oz cans).
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